Khammouane
ແຂວງ ຄໍາມ່ວນ
The Rock Viewpoint opens the doors to the Phou Hin Boun National Protected Area, an uncharted world of ancient karstic forests, breath-taking views, and endemic wildlife in Central Laos. Immerse yourself in one of the largest limestone forest in all of Asia with a fascinating itinerary of zip lines, spider net and canopy walks. The viewpoint, known as “The Peak of the loop” is a must stop on the Thakek Loop that also acts as a tourist information centre for all visitors in Khammouane Province. Whether having a coffee at the Coffee Bar, delicious meal at the Khob Chai Deu restaurant or an incredible adventure is what you seek, the stunning views are assured!
Discover the Limestone Forest of Phou Pha Marn and experience the Highlights of The Rock for yourself! This experience is perfect for those who want to enjoy the highlights of the Protected Area within a short time. Accessible for almost everybody, it is recommended for families and friends. Start the tour with an epic zip line, flying across the valley of this stunning landscape, to the thrilling circuit of via ferrata, suspended bridges, ziplines and spider net. The trip ends with an incredible fly across the rock formations on the final zipline, back to the Phou Pha Marn visitor centre where you can enjoy the views from the Khop Chai Der restaurant.
- Didymocarpus species: Didymocarpus angustiflorus, D. bolavenensis, D. laoticus, and D. trilobus.
- Paraboea species: Paraboea planiflora and Paraboea khotamiae, discovered in the limestone karsts of central Laos.
- Other novelties: Hemiboea olivifolia, Chayamaritia banksiae (endemic to Khammouane Province), and Lysionotus calcicola found across northern and central provinces.
- Damrongia trisepala and Didymocarpus formosus (previously considered endemic to Thailand)
- Middletonia reticulata
- Aeschynanthus bracteatus and A. micranthus
- Epithema ceylanicum, Lysionotus serratus, Microchirita luteola, Paraboea swinhoei, Petrocosmea kerrii, and Pseudochirita guangxiensis
- Paraboea khotamiae: A micro-endemic species discovered and described in 2021. It is known to grow specifically on shaded limestone cliffs in the Gnommalat District of Khammouane. It features a white corolla and non-twisted seed capsules.
- Paraboea mahaxayana: A species named after the Mahaxay region in Khammouane, where it grows in the fissures of large limestone rocks
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Paraboea khotamiae ດອກລະຄັງໂຄຕະມີ |
Recently Described Species in Khammouane
- Microchirita argostemmiflora, Microchirita flavofusca, and Microchirita magniflora: Three distinct new species of Microchirita were described from the Khammouane Karst in 2024 as part of ongoing botanical explorations of Lao Gesneriaceae.
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| Microchirita argostemmiflora |
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| Microchirita magniflora: |
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| Microchirita flavofusca |
- Lysionotus calcicola: A deciduous, shrubby species adapted to severe limestone cliff environments, found distributed across Luangprabang, Vientiane, and the Khammouane provinces.
Lysionotus D.Don (1822, p. 85), belonging to the family Gesneriaceae (subfamily Didymocarpoideae), consists of 35 species distributed from northern India and Nepal eastwards through Bangladesh, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, northern Vietnam and southern China, Taiwan to southern Japan (Möller et al. 2017, GRC 2024 continuously updated2024 continuously updated). In Laos, only two species, L. levipes (C.B.Clarke) B.L.Burtt and L. serratus D.Don have been found (Newman et al. 2017 onwards2017 onwards, Souvannakhoummane et al. 2021). The genus is characterized by its sub-shrubby habit, opposite or whorled leaves, tubular funnel-shaped corolla with an inflated upper half, two stamens, coherent anthers with or without connective appendages, and seeds with an appendage at each end (Weber et al. 2020, Akhil et al. 2021).
Khammouane Province is one of the richest areas with karst topography in Laos. Clusters of limestone hills topped with limestone caves make the province famous, such as The Rock Viewpoint at Phou Pha Marn, Konglor Cave in Phu Hin Poun National Protected Area and Xe Bang Fai Cave in Hin Nam No National Park, and others. Supported by this topography, the Lao limestone karsts provide specific habitats for various plant species endemic to this area, such as Gesneriaceae: Didymocarpus middletonii Souvann., Soulad. & Tagane (Souvannakhoummane et al. 2018), Paraboea khotamiae Phonep. & Souvann. (Phonepaseuth et al. 2021), Poaceae: Laobambos calcareus Haev., Lamxay & D.Z.Li. (Haevermans et al. 2020), Polypodiaceae: Drynaria deuansavanhii Vongthavone & Tagane, Pteridaceae: Hemionitis khammouanensisVongthavone & Phonep. (Vongthavone et al. 2025), and Vitaceae: Tetrastigma fruticosumSoulad., Phonep. & Tagane (Tagane et al. 2025).
Recently, an unknown species of Gesneriaceae was discovered and collected during botanical surveys in the limestone karst of the Rock Viewpoint at Phou Pha Marn, Khammouane Province. From our morphological observations, the plant was assignable to the genus Lysionotus D.Don based on seeds with an appendage at each end (Weber et al. 2020, Akhil et al. 2021). The new species is similar to Lysionotus chingii Chun ex W.T.Wang by being a subshrub with large calyx and corolla, and these two species are compared in details. In addition, the same species was collected also on the limestone of Pha Yoak Limestone Forest Reserve Area, Luangprabang Province, northern Laos and Vangvieng District, Vientiane Province, Mahaxay District, Khammouane Province, central Laos. After careful examination of these specimens, morphological comparison with closely related species, and consultation of the relevant taxonomic literature, it was concluded to be an undescribed species. In addition to the morphological examination, DNA sequences and phylogenetic analysis are extremely helpful for delimiting species (Hebert and Gregory 2005, Dick and Webb 2012). Here, we sequenced a DNA barcode region, the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) to compare the new species with related taxa. As a result, we describe it as new to science herein, along with the line drawing, information on its distribution, ecology, phenology, vernacular name, and provisional conservation status.
- Didymocarpus middletonii: Recorded from the limestone karsts within the region's protected areas.
THAM XANG CAVE (ELEPHANT CAVE)
Tham Xang Cave, commonly known as Elephant Cave, is one of the most interesting cultural and natural attractions in Vang Vieng. Located approximately 7 kilometers north of Vang Vieng town, near Tham Norn Cave and Tham NangFa (Angel Cave), this cave is famous for its unique limestone formation that resembles the head of an elephant, which gave the cave its name. Although smaller than some of Vang Vieng's larger cave systems, Tham Xang is valued for its religious significance, historical importance, and easy accessibility.
The cave is situated at the base of a dramatic limestone mountain surrounded by lush greenery and rural countryside. Visitors can reach the cave through a short and easy walk, making it suitable for travelers of all ages. The entrance opens into a cool chamber where the cave's most famous feature—a naturally formed limestone rock resembling an elephant—can be found. Local people have long regarded this formation as sacred, and it has become an important symbol of the cave.
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